Proposed bills would ease restrictions for WNC distilleries, bars
Two proposed bills in the North Carolina House and Senate would loosen restrictions for local distilleries and could impact some bars, as well. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Asheville may be known as beer city, but there’s a push for better access to liquor drinks, as well.
Two proposed bills in the North Carolina House and Senate would loosen restrictions for local distilleries and could impact some bars, as well.
House Bill 378 and Senate Bill 290 aim to loosen restrictions on distilleries and private clubs throughout the state.
H & H Distillery said it has been working with about 16 lawmakers on the measures.
Sen. Terry Van Duyn said this is an important bill that Western North Carolina distillers need in order to be profitable and competitive.
One of the big changes would be allowing distilleries to serve cocktails, instead of just tastings.
Also, under the current law, distilleries can only sell five bottles per customer per year. But, if this legislation passes, there would be no limit.
Rhea Lidowski, who manages the tasting room at The Chemist in Asheville, is excited about the proposal.
“Any loosening of the grip for what we can do is great,” Lidowski said.
If the measure passes, distilleries could also start selling directly to restaurants and offer tastings in ABC stores.
“It’s just those little things, or we can sell more bottles or reach more people ... excited about what could come next with these laws changing,” Lidowski said.
But the bill also impacts places like Cascade Lounge on Amboy Road.
It is now labeled as a private club and requires customers to become members in order to get drinks, since most of their sales are alcohol and not food.
“Often times, it becomes a deterrent for someone who wants to come in and have a beer. It creates a stop loss program for me,” Jolene Fleischbein said.
She said the current law is antiquated and believes a step toward privatization would be good.
“I would love to see legislation put in place that allows the private sector to start taking over some of these issues,” Fleischbein said.
She isn’t confident the bill will pass, but hopes it starts a discussion about progress.
“ I just think pockets are too deep, so many entities when you look at the state and have a controlled alcohol,” Fleischbein said.